Tempting the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 8)

Between sleeping with a heating pad, Kane feeding me and giving me foot massages, I barely had a reason to get out of bed. I read him a few more chapters of my book, then he showed me a new leather engraving technique he figured out. It was one of the best weekends I've had in years, even if it was during one of the worst weeks of the month.

But now it's Monday, and I begrudgingly get ready for work. I stopped at my house yesterday to pack an overnight bag and show my mom I'm still alive.

"Good mornin'," I call out when I see Harper and my sister in the warehouse. I'm surprised to see Hadleigh here so bright and early, but it’s not unusual.

"Mornin’! How are ya feelin'?" Hadleigh gives me a side hug, careful not to squish Hendrix. He's snug inside the baby wrap she’s wearing.

"Yeah, I was worried about you," Harper adds.

Considering I've never called in before, I can see why they'd be concerned.

"I'm better. I just started my period, and it was really bad. Worse than usual," I say, which isn't a complete lie. The cramps were painful, but Kane definitely helped me feel better.

Hadleigh narrows her eyes as if she's contemplating something. "You did?" she asks. "We used to be synced up like a ventriloquist dummy."

I laugh, remembering that before she got pregnant, we were only a day apart.

"Yeah, and it's brutal."

"Maybe yours are so bad because you're getting period sympathy pains since Aunt Flo hasn’t visited Hadleigh in over a year," Harper says with a snort. "Kinda like sympathy pregnancy symptoms."

"Oh my God, please no one give me those," I beg, grabbing some packaging supplies.

Before I get to work, I say hi to Hayden and Hailey-Mae, remembering my promise to play with them during my lunch break. Then I grab the order list I need.

"So give me the 411 on Winston. Did you see him this weekend?" Hadleigh asks while pulling some soaps off the shelves.

I think back to the conversation I had with Kane about that story. I clear my throat and prepare myself for the million questions she'll throw my way.

"Actually, we decided to take a break."

"What?" Hadleigh and Harper gasp at the same time.

"Already? What happened?" my sister asks.

I shrug casually, keeping my eyes on the table as I work. "Nothing really. We just have opposite schedules and couldn't make time to hang out. Decided to wait until we're back in school and go from there."

"Aw...are you okay?" Hadleigh’s tone softens.

"I'm fine. We weren't serious or anything."

"Well, maybe that's for the best, especially if you're not even able to see each other. Now you can have a hot girl summer!"

I snort at Hadleigh's excitement.

"This is almost too perfect!" Harper beams. "My mom’s friend mentioned her newly single son and had asked if she knew of any available ladies in the area. I told her I'd ask around, and we'd plan a double date or something, so—"

"No, no, no. I don't go on blind dates," I quickly interject. That's the last thing I want to do.

"It’ll be totally casual. Just have some drinks or something. No pressure."

"I dunno..." I say, hoping she'll hear my uncertainty.

"What if Knox and I go? We can triple date, and I can vet him for you," Hadleigh adds.

"That'd be perfect!" Harper exclaims. "Just a fun, casual vibe with three couples hangin' out."

I narrow my eyes at them. "You really think I should go out with another guy right after ending a relationship?"

"Yes!" they say in unison.

"The fastest way to get over a guy is to get under another one." Hadleigh waggles her brows.

"I wasn't even under Winston..." I mutter.

"Rhett’s a few years older than you. He’s fresh out of college and isn’t looking for a wife to pop out his babies right away. I bet you two would have fun and totally hit it off!" Harper smiles eagerly as she waits for my response.

I don’t know how I’m going to get out of this. She and my sister look so excited, and I don't want to let them down. The peer pressure nearly eats me alive.

"Yes! He sounds great. And since you're newly single, why not see who else is out there?" There is a hint of uncertainty as if she knows the truth. Ever since I mentioned my period, she's been giving me weird looks.

I swallow, then say firmly, "I'll think about it."

"Perfect! I'll text his mom and ask when he's available. You'll have until then to make up your mind."

How the hell am I supposed to tell my boyfriend I agreed to a blind date simply because we're hiding our relationship? It would be too suspicious if I said no.

Fuck me.

By the end of the work day, they’d planned everything—drinks at the Circle B Saloon on Friday night. I agreed to something casual, but I didn't expect it to be at the Bishops’ bar. I can't even legally drink, but they assured me it wouldn't be an issue since I'm considered family. As long as I don't order alcohol, of course. Although I almost wished I could, then maybe I’d get through the awkwardness.